KALB'S COLUMN -- December 29, 2004
California Contractor License Questions: California contractors getting licensed in Nevada, fixing mistakes in a submitted California contractors license application.

This is the time of year to reflect on the past as well as look forward to the future. I hope you, the reader, had a good 2004 and will have an even more prosperous 2005. I want to wish my readers the very best in the coming New Year. If you make a mistake on your license application is there time to correct it or will you have to start over from square one? But first, have you ever wondered if you could be licensed in Nevada?

Q. I am considering getting a contractor's license in Nevada. As a California contractor what steps do I need to take? About how long is the process? Will testing be required?

A. Nevada requires all new applicants to complete a 26-page application. This package includes a bank statement; a financial statement completed by an outside CPA; four notarized reference sheets attesting to your experience; a detailed resume for the qualifying individual and background disclosures for all personnel listed on the application. You may also need to register with the NV Secretary of State (if conducting business as a corporation) and Clark County (if you want to use a "dba").

Once your completed application is submitted to the Nevada Contractors Board it will be thoroughly reviewed. If items are missing or the application is not completed properly, it will likely be returned for corrections. Once an acceptable application is processed, the qualifying individual will receive a notice that he or she can schedule the business management and (maybe) trade exams. Nevada contracts with a private company (based in California) to conduct their testing. The NV Board will determine if you're eligible for a waiver of the trade test based on their reciprocity agreement with CA. Many of the major trade classifications can be waived ’Äì except Plumbing and Electrical -- if you have been licensed in CA for more than 5 years. If all goes smoothly you should plan on the entire process taking between 60-90 days.

Q. We recently sent our application to the CSLB. We went on line to check the status of our application and discovered that we may have made a serious error. Do we need to start over again or can we "fix" our existing application? Can you tell us if we did make a mistake?

A. As long as your application has NOT been "posted" (accepted) by the Contractors Board, you should be able to file corrections. After reviewing a copy of your application (as faxed to my office), it does appear that a major problem exists. Your intention was to apply as a Limited Partnership (LP); however, you completed the application as a General Partnership (GP). Further you did not list all the appropriate entities that make up the LP.

Based on this review, I would strongly suggest that you file these corrections as soon as possible. If the CSLB accepts the application as a general partnership, you will need to start over again and file a completely new application; pay new fees; and be delayed by several weeks in securing the proper LP license.

Knowledge is power and knowing where to go for the answers is half the battle.

Get expert assistance when you e-mail info@cutredtape.com, call (916) 443-0657, fax (916) 443-1908, or write me at Capitol Services, Inc., 1225 8th Street, Ste. 919, Sacramento, CA 95814

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